Maneka Gandhi, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, responded to a tweet by singer Chinmayi Sripaada, and said that the National Commission for Women had taken up her case. Chinmayi had said in her tweet that she was banned by the dubbing union after she called out lyricist Vairamuthu of sexual harassment in the #MeToo movement last year.
Talking to ToI, the singer said she was grateful for the minister’s response. She is now waiting to see if there would be action against the perpetrators. “I’m grateful that she responded this time. I’m waiting to see if this will lead to something. The NCW has been given complaints before. They just need to take cognizance of complaints and set up an enquiry commission.”
“They could have easily set up a fact-finding committee and called us and the offenders for an enquiry. We don’t know whose door to knock on,” she added.
The singer said that there were other women who had similar experiences but were afraid to speak up fearing they too will face her fate. “So many playback singers have anonymously taken names of their offenders, but since there’s no action, they are not willing to speak up.”
“Solli enna aaga poradhu? Unakku edhavadhu aacha? (How is it going to help? Has it helped you?) — that’s what they ask. I hope there is a positive outcome now at least,” the singer said.
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During #MeToo movement in October last year, Chinmayi levelled allegations against Vairamuthu, and supported women who had called out Radha Ravi, the head of the Dubbing Union. In the next month, Chinmayi, who is a singer cum voice artist, was terminated from the Union for allegedly not paying subscription fee.
Chinmayi has filed a case against Radha Ravi and the Union. The case will come up for hearing in a few days, she said recently.